Five alleged car insurance fraudsters indicted in Burlington County

Five people, who allegedly used fake information about car insurance they never bought to register their vehicles in Burlington County, are indicted in Mount Holly.

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Marco Diaz, 36, of New Hanover Township; Latavious McCaskill, 25, and Ronnie Sutton, 62, of Pemberton; Maddie Washington, 59, of Willingboro; and Mark Richards, 37, of Camden, each face a fourth-degree count of falsifying or tampering with records, according to the office of Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina.

The indictments were returned September 5. Arriagnments have yet to be scheduled.

"This is a crime that affects us all," Coffina said in prepared comments. "Providing bogus auto insuance information increases premiums for us all, and puts people who play by the rules at risk for uncompensated injuries and property damage. Our Office will continue working with the Motor Vehicle Commission and other partners to identify those who are committing insurance fraud and make sure they are held accountable for their illegal conduct."

Authorities did not elaborate on any possible connections among them. Investigators said that in May and June of this year, they submitted false insurance inforamation to workers at the Mount Holly MVC office, getting registrations without having to buy insurance.

The state Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor estimates that insurance fraud of all types costs each New Jersey family about $1,300 extra each year in premiums.

Indictments and charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.